Sound proof cover for soles of sportsmen&#39;s shoes and method for use

ABSTRACT

A sound proof and slip proof cover for soles of sportsmen&#39;s shoes comprising a resilient sole having a laminated composition comprising a plurality of layers of foamed material attached together, the bottom layer being made up of a soft foamed material and the top layer being made up of a tougher foamed material, and attaching means to assist in holding the sole to the bottom of the sportsmen&#39;s shoes comprising a plurality of straps with loops at the terminal end, and cord means for being passed through the loops and tieing the cord ends together to hold the sole on the sportsmen&#39;s shoes.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.088,713, filed Aug. 24, 1987, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Filed of the Invention

This invention relates to a cover for soles of shoes. More particularly,the invention relates to a new type of sound proof cover for soles ofsportsmen's shoe, and a method for using the same.

Specifically, the invention provides a new type of cover for soles ofsportsmen's shoes which avoids the creation of sound and preventsslipping while stalking game or fishing. The new sound proof cover forthe sportsmen's shoe broadly comprises in combination (a) a resilientsole a little larger than the sole of an average sportman's shoe to becovered, which resilient sole has a laminated composition comprising aplurality of layers of foamed material attached together, the bottomlayer being made up of a soft foamed material of thickness of at least1/2 inch, and the top layer being made up of a tougher foamed materialthan the bottom layer and having a thickness of at least 1/4 inch, (b)attaching means to assist in holding the sole to the bottom of thesportsman's shoe comprising from 6 to 8 short vertical straps attachedalong the outside edge of the resilient sole with at least three of thestraps being attached to the back and back sides of the sole and atleast one of the straps being attached at the front end of the sole, theend of the straps not attached to the sole possessing loop means topermit passage of a cord there through, and (c) cord means adapted tobeing passed through the loops at the end of the straps and being pulledtight to hold the sole on the sportsman's shoe, one end of the cordbeing passed through the loop of the back three straps and then throughall the other loops of the straps and back through the three end straps,the free ends of the cord being capable of being pulled up and aroundthe cord as it passes into the front strap and then pulled tight and theends tied together to provide a firm hold of the sole onto thesportsman's shoes.

The invention further provides a method for using the above-describednew covers which comprises placing the above noted sound proof cover oneach of the soles of the sportsman's shoes at the time the stalking ofgame commences, passing the ends of the cords up and around the cord asit passes into the front strap and then pulling tight so as to firmlybind the sole on the shoe and then tie the ends of the cord with a firmknot. When the hunt is completed, the soles can be removed and placed instorage for the next use.

2. Prior Art

In stalking game there is always the danger of creating a noise whichfrightens the game and prevents the hunter from getting close enough tokill the game. In many cases, the noise is created by the hunters asthey walk along the trail, such as by, for example, stepping on twigs orleaves or by their feet slipping against rocks or branches along thetrail. Many attempts have been made to correct this problem as by usingshoes with rubber soles, such as tennis shoes, or by wrapping cloth onthe bottom of the shoes. These methods, however, have not been toosuccessful as some noise is still created and in many cases, theabove-noted methods have interferred with the successful stalking of thegame.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide a new type ofcover for the soles of sportsmen's shoes which provides a high degree ofsound proofing while the hunter is stalking game. It is a further objectto provide a new type of cover for the soles of hunter's soles which canbe easily and quickly applied and removed. It is a further object toprovide a new type of cover for the soles of hunter's shoes which arevery light and easily carried to the hunting area. It is a furtherobject to provide a new type of cover for the soles of hunter's feetwhich can be tightly secured to the soles of the shoes and remain on thesoles even under very rugged conditions. It is a further object toprovide new slip preventing shoes for fisherman and hunters.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that these and other objects can beaccomplished by the new covers for sportsmen's shoes of the presentinvention which provides for the first time an efficient sound proof andslip resistant cover for said soles.

The new cover for the soles of sportmen's shoes comprise in combination(a) a resilient sole a little larger than the sole of an averagesportman's shoe to be covered, which resilient sole has a laminatedcomposition comprising a plurality of layers of foamed material attachedtogether, the bottom layer being made up of a soft foamed material ofthickness of at least 1/2 inch, and the top layer being made up of atougher foamed material than the bottom layer and having a thickness ofat least 1/4 inch, (b) attaching means to assist in holding the sole tothe bottom of the sportsman's shoe comprising from 6 to 8 short verticalstraps attached along the outside edge of the resilient sole with atleast three of the straps being attached to the back and back sides ofthe sole and at least one of the straps being attached at the front endof the sole, the end of the straps not attached to the sole possessingloop means to permit passage of a cord there through, and (c) cord meansadapted to being passed through the loops at the end of the straps andbeing pulled tight to hold the sole on the sportsman's shoe, one end ofthe cord being passed through the loops of the back three straps andthen through all the other loops of the straps and back through thethree end straps, the free ends of the cord being capable of beingpulled up and around the cord as it passes into the front strap and thenpulled tight and the ends tied together to provide a firm hold of thesole onto the sportsman's shoes.

The above-described new type of cover for the soles of sportsman's shoesare preferably utilized in the following manner. The new type of solecovers are carried with the hunter to the stalking area and then placedon the bottom of the hunter's shoes. To tighten the soles on the shoesthe free ends of the cord are passed up and around the cord goingthrough the front strap and then pulled back tight and tied to firmlyhold the sole on the shoe. The hunter then is capable of walking quietlythrough the hunting area, and when completed, the soles are removed andplaced in storage for the next hunt.

The new covers for the soles of the sportsmen's shoes gives surprisingand superior results as compared to prior known techniques for suchpurposes. The new covers, for example, give a much higher degree ofsound proofing than possible heretofore, and thus give the hunter anincreased advantage during the hunter. The foam, for example, seems toquickly cover any sound than might be developed while walking in thehunter's trail and the hunter is able to approach the game withoutmaking the customary noises which frighten the game. The soles are alsounexpectedly rugged and can be worn over very tough terrain withoutdanger of being torn or severely worn. Further advantage is found in thefact that the covers are very light and easy to carry and easy to applyto the shoe sole. In addition, the shoe covers are very compact and canbe stored in very small places until needed. The new soles are alsoideal for use by by fishermen as they prevent slipping on wet surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The various objects and features of the present invention will be morefully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the sound proof and slip proof cover for solesshowing the laminate sole and side straps, but without the tie cord.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cover for soles illustrating the method ofintroducing the cord into the side straps.

FIG. 3 is a another top view of the cover for the soles showing how thecord may be inserted up and around the front section of the cord andpulled tightly together.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing how the sole may be placed on the shoe ofthe sportsman and the cord pulled tight and tied together.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the sole showing the laminated structure andlocation of the side straps.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the sound proof cover showing how the sidestraps may be joined or attached under the top layer of the foamedmaterial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to FIG. 1 which is a top view of the sound proof coverfor soles, the sole is shown as 11, the bottom layer of foam as 13, thetop layer of the foam as 12, with the eight straps attached to the sidesand being joined under the top foam layer comprising 20, 20A, 14, 15,16, 17, 18 and 19. The loop at the top of each of the straps isillustrated as item 21.

With reference to FIG. 2 which is also a top view of the sole cover, thesole is shown as 11 and the eight side straps are identified by numbers1 through 8. The Figure illustrates how the cord (front end 23 andterminal end 22) is placed within the loops on the straps. The front end23 is first placed with the loops on straps 2, 1, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 andthen a second time through loops on straps 2, 1 and 8, and then the freeend is used with the terminal end to tie the sole on the shoe as shownin in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates how the cord is placed within the loops of the strapsand then placed up and around the cord around the front strap 5. Indetail, the cord ends 22 and 23 are pulled toward the front of the soleand placed up and around the cord passing through strap 5 and thenpulled tight and tied together. Items 23 and 25 illustrate how the cordis placed under and around the front cord of strap 5.

With reference to FIG. 4 which is a side view of the shoe placed withthe sole cover, the shoe is shown as 26 with shoe sole 26A, the shoecover as 11, with the laminated sole layers as 12 and 3 and the strapsvisible from that side as 20, 19, 18, 17 and 16. The cord being pulledtight as 29, and pulled up and around the other cord at location 24 andthen tied with the similar cord end on the other side to form bow 27.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the assembled sole cover with out the cord,showing the two layers of foamed material 30 and 31, and the straps 32,33, 34 and 35.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the sole cover illustrating how the straps maybe joined under the bottom of the top layer. The top layer of foam isshown as 36, the side straps as 39, 40 and 41 and the ends of the strapsjoined under the top layer of foams as 38 and 42. The bottom layer ofthe foam is shown as 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, the resilient sole portion of the cover is a laminatedcomposition comprising a plurality of layers of foamed material joinedtogether, the bottom layer being made up of a soft foamed material ofthickness of at least 1/2 inch and the top layer being made up of atougher foamed material than the bottom layer and having a thickness ofat least 1/4 inch. The bottom layer of the sole must be of a softmaterial so as to effect the desired sound proofing quality of thecover. In general, the bottom layer has a density of about 1.5 lbs/ft³or less, and preferably between 1.5+0.1 and 1.25+0.1 lbs/ft³. Suchmaterial also preferably has a tensile strength of about 10 to 13 psiand tear strength of about 1.00 to 1.7 lbs/lin. and compressive strength(ASTMD695) of 40 to 200, with elongation of about 100 to 125%. Thematerial also preferably has at least 50% open cells.

The top layer of the laminated sole is of a tougher foamed material soas to provide a firm basis for the shoe or boot of the sportsmen. Suchmaterial preferably has a density greater than 1.5 lbs/ft³, and stillmore preferably between 1.5 and 1.9 lbs/ft³. Such material alsopreferably has a tensile strength of about 10 to 13 psi, tear strengthof about 1.50 to 1.00 lbs/lin, and enlongation of about 150 to 125%.This material also preferably has at least 50% open cells.

The intermediate layers of foamed material if any are present may be ofany type and composition as needed or desired, but in general has atoughness between that of the bottom and top layers. Examples of suchinclude intermediate layers of foamed material having a density between1.5 and 1.9 lbs/ft³.

As noted other desirable properties for the foamed materials include thecompressive strength (ASTMD695) of 40 to 200, and hardness (ASTM D1484)of 60 to 90.

The synthetic foamed material used in the above-noted layers for theresilient sole can be of any suitable thermoplastic or thermosettingfoamed product. Examples of these include the polyurethanes,polystyrenes, ABS polymers, nylons, polycarbonates, polyethylene,polypropylene, poly(phenyl oxide), and the like, and mixtures thereof.Preferred foams to be used in the laminated product include thepolyurethanes, polyolefins, epoxy resins, polycarbonates, and nylonfoams.

The laminated sheets of foam may be joined together by any suitablemeans, such as by adhesives, heat sealing, tapes, and the like. Ingeneral, it is preferred to join the layers together by means of anadhesive, such as epoxy resin adhesives.

As noted the bottom layer of the laminated sole should be at least 1/2inches thick, and preferably between 1/2 and 1 inches. The top layershould be at least 1/4 inches in thickness and preferably between 1/4and 1/2 inches thick. The intermediate layers can vary as desired, butin most cases can vary from about 1/4 to 3/4 inches in thickness.

The shape of the resilient sole should be of any suitable size but bestresults are obtained when the sole is at least slightly larger than thesole of the sportsman's shoe, and in most cases from about 1/8 to 3/4inches larger.

As noted above, special attachment means are employed to hold theresilient sole on the sportman's shoe. The attachment means comprisefrom 6 to 8 short vertical straps attached along the outside edge of theresilient sole with at least three of the straps being attached to theback and back sides of the sole and at least one of the straps beingattached at the front end of the sole, the end of the straps notattached to the sole possessing loop means to permit passage of a cordthere trhough, and cord means adapted to being passed through the loopsat the end of the straps and being pulled tight to hold the sole on thesportsman's shoe, one end of the cord being passed through the loops ofthe back three straps and then through all the other loops of the strapsand back through the three end straps, the free ends of the cord beingcapable of being pulled up and around the cord as it passes into thefront strap end and then pulled tight and the ends tied together toprovide a firm hold of the sole onto the shoe.

The above-noted straps can be prepared from any suitable strongmaterial, but are preferably prepared from nylon canvas material,although leather or other materials can be used. The straps arepreferably from about 1/2 to 11/4 inches in width and extend above thetop sole from about 11/2 to 21/2 inches.

The straps can be attached to the sole in any suitable manner.Preferably the bottom end of the straps are attached by gluing or othermeans to the bottom of the top layer in the resilient sole and then bentup the outside edge of the top layer so as to extend above the saidlayer.

The terminal end of the straps are bent over and glue to itself so as toform a loop where the cord material can be passed through as notedherein above. The loop is preferably of sufficient width to permit atleast two rounds of the cord to pass through, and in most cases is aloop of about 3/8 to 1/2 inches in width.

The cord which is to be passed through the above-noted loops and theends tied together to hold the cover on the shoe may be of any suitablestrong material that can withstand the tension to be placed thereon intying the ends together. Preferably the material is conventional nyloncord of 1/8 to 3/8 in diameter.

The new covers of the present invention can be used for a variety ofpurposes where a high egree of sound proofing is required. As notedabove, they are particularly suited for use by hunters as they arestalking game. In this application, the covers are preferably carried tothe hunting area by the hunter and then at the time stalking is tarted,they may be placed on the shoes of the hunter and the cord tied to holdthe soles tightly on the feet of the hunter. When the hunt is completed,the soles can be removed and placed in storage for the next use.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below. It should beunderstood, however, that this is given as a preferred assembly of thecover intended for specific purposes and is not to be regarded aslimiting the invention in any way.

A shoe sole cover was prepared as follows: A bottom sole layer of size10 shoe was cut out of a sheet of foamed polyurethane having a thicknessof 3/4 inches and a density of about 1.45 lbs/ft³, tensile strength of10 psi and an elongation of 100%. A top layer of the sole of the samesize was cut out of a sheet of polyurethane having a thickness of about1/2 inch and a density of about 1.8 lbs/ft³, and elongation of 150%,with at least 50% open cells.

Eight straps were prepared from nylon canvas strapping material having awidth of 1 inch and thickness of about 1/8 inches. One end of each ofthe straps was bend over and glue back on itself so as to form an openloop of about 1/2 inch for introduction of the cord as notedhereinafter. The straps were then glued on the bottom of the top layer(1/2 inch thick layer so as to have the straps extending about the saidlayer by about 13/4 inches. That layer was then glued to the top of theother foamed layer (3/4 inches thick layer). The location of the eightstraps are as shown in the attached drawings.

Nylo cord of about 1/8 inches in diameter was then threaded through theloops as shown in FIG. 3.

The cover prepared as above was then placed on the sole of a hunter'sshoe, and the resulting combination was then used by a hunter instalking deer. Surprisingly, it was found that the new covers made thewalking almost sound proof and the hunter was able to approach a deerwithout any sounds being created by his approach.

Another type of sole was prepared as above with the exception that alaminated sole was prepared by forming a sole from a 3/4 inch sheet ofthe foamed material, sewing a 1/8 inch vinyl sheet to the top of thesole and then sewing another 1/4 inch sheet of foamed material over thevinyl sheeting. The straps were then placed on the bottom foamed sheetas noted above. This new sole had the advantage of better strength andpreventing curling of the foam after a period of use.

I claim as my invention:
 1. A sound proof and slip proof cover for solesof sportsmen's shoes comprising in combination (a) a resilient sole alittle larger than the sole of the sportsmen's shoe to be covered, whichresilient sole has a laminated composition comprising a plurality oflayers of foamed material attached together, the bottom layer being madeup of a soft foamed material of thickness of at least 1/2 inch, and thetop layer being made up of a tougher foamed material than the bottomlayer and having a thickness of at least 1/4 inch, (b) attaching meansto assist in holding the sole to the bottom of the sportmen's shoecomprising at least 4 short vertical straps attached along the outsideedge of the resilient sole with at least three of the straps beingattached to the back and back sides of the sole and at least one of thestraps being attached at the front end of the sole, the end of thestraps not attached to the sole possessing loops to permit passage of acord there through, and (c) cord adapted to being passed through theloops at the end of the straps and being pulled tight to hold the soleon the sportsmen's shoes.
 2. A sound proof and slip proof cover as inclaim 1 wherein the number of straps vary from 6 to
 8. 3. A sound proofand slip proof cover as in claim 1 wherein wherein one end of the cordthat has been passed through all of the loops is passed again throughthe loop of the back three straps, the free ends of the cord beingcapable of being pulled up and around the cord as it has passed into thefront strap and then pulled tight and the ends tied together.
 4. A soundproof and slip proof cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam material ispolyurethane.
 5. A sound proof and slip proof cover as in claim 1wherein the foamed material has from 50% to 100% open cells andelongation between 100% and 150%.
 6. A sound proof and slip proof coveras in claim 1 wherein the top layer of foamed material has a densitygreater than 1.5 lbs/ft³, and the bottom layer has a density less than1.5 lbs/ft³.